Truro NSCC students attend ‘learning café’

Ashlee Bonnell chose to research disabilities for her social services project because she enjoys working with people who have disabilities.

The Harmony resident’s project was one of several on display at the NSCC for the ‘Applied Learning Service Café’ Friday.

“When I graduate I want to

work with people who have disabilities,” she said. “I find many of them so inspiring.

“By doing this project I learned a lot about outer and inner disabilities. It was an eyeopener for me.”

Bonnell is also a committed volunteer, helping out with Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Colchester Adult Learning Association and the VON adult day program.

“I started volunteering when I was about 13 years old and I

love it,” she said. “The little girl I have through Big Brothers-Big Sisters is amazing. Just seeing her smile bring a smile to my face.”

Bekki Clarke, who is from New Glasgow, researched sex and gender, from a psychological and scientific standpoint, for her project.

“A lot of things make up our identity,” she said. “Gender identity is how you think about yourself. Gender expression

is how you demonstrate your gender.” She looked at influences on sex and gender, and how people react to the unfamiliar.

“We need to combat hatred with love and acceptance,” Clarke said.

“You can’t find your uniqueness unless you’re allowed to express yourself. I’m part of the LGBTQ community and I just want to be able to play a part in making people aware and promoting acceptance.”

LyNN CurwiN/Truro Daily News Ashlee Bonnell, a first year social services student at the Truro campus of the NSCC, researched a variety of disabilities for her project. Student projects were on display at the college recently for the Applied Services Learning Café.

LyNN CurwiN/Truro Daily News Bekki Clarke, a social services student at the Truro campus of the NSCC, who is from New Glasgow, researched gender issues for her project. She also had her painting of an eye on display during the Applied Services Learning Café.